Apparatus for styling hair

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for styling hair has a wall-mounted base and a equipoised arm assembly including first and second interconnected parallelogram linkages. At one end of the arm assembly, is a journal which fits into a journal bore in the base, to enable the arm assembly to swivel horizontally. A lamp-supporting device which carries a lamp head is disposed on the other end of the arm assembly and is movable in a variety of directions. A bulb in the socket of the lamp head is capable of emitting at least 300 watts, the precise value of which is controlled by a variable power source. A handle is attached to the lamp head to enable a user selectively to move the lamp head as needed. The apparatus is used in the styling of hair which has first been washed and then partially dried. The lamp is used successively to heat limited areas of the hair for drying the same and at the same time cutting and combing the hair in each particular area in accordance with its natural growth pattern.

Chiaro et al.

[ 1 Jan. 30, 1973 APPARATUS FOR STYLING HAIR [75] Inventors: James S.Chiaro; Susan C. Chiaro,

both of Chicago, 111.

[73] Assignee: said James S. Chiaro, by said Susan Chiaro 221 Filed:AprilS, 1971 21 Appl.No.: 131,107

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,226,073 12/1965 Jacobsenetal. ..248/280 1,864,756 6/1932 3,366,784 l/1968 1,963,278 6/1934Pieper ..240/41.15

Primary ExaminerRussel| R. Kinsey Assistant Examiner-Gregory E. McNeil]Attorney-Prangley, Dithmar, Vogel, Sandler & Stotland [57] ABSTRACT Anapparatus styling hair has a wall-mounted base and a equipoised armassembly including first and second interconnected parallelogramlinkages. At one end of the arm assembly, is a journal which fits into ajournal bore in the base, to enable the arm assembly to swivelhorizontally. A lamp-supporting device which carries a lamp head isdisposed on the other end of the arm assembly and is movable in avariety of directions. A bulb in the socket of the lamp head is capableof emitting at least 300 watts, the precise value of which is controlledby a variable power source. A handle is attached to the lamp head toenable a user selectively to move the lamp head as needed. The apparatusis used in the styling of hair which has first been washed and thenpartially dried. The lamp is used successively to heat limited areas ofthe hair for drying the same and at the same time cutting and combingthe hair in each particular area in accordance with its natural growthpattern.

1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAH 30 I975 FIGJ INVENTORS JAMES 5.CH/ARO p BY SUSAN C. CHIARO j Z Zw 7 f V ATTYS.

APPARATUS FOR STYLING HAIR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is a greatnumber of devices available on the market today, for use in styling mensand/or womens hair. Also, a variety of methods is used by hair stylists.One popular procedure involves the washing of the hair, followed byrolling the hair into curlers and then drying the hair by use of ahood-type drier. After the hair has been dried, the curlers are removed,and the hair is combed out. Although the resulting hair style isattractive, it is temporary, lasting but a few days. This is primarilydue to the fact that the curl which has been set into the hair is not anatural one, that is, the hair has been made to follow a pattern otherthan the natural hair pattern.

Another method often used is, first, to wash the hair and then to stylethe hair by use of a curling iron. Again, the resulting style is not anatural one, in that the hair has been forced to assume a predeterminedpattern.

One further example of known styling methods involves first washing thehair and then using a brush to raise selected portions of the hair,while a hot air blower is directed at the raised portion to pass hot airthereover. The moving hot air forces the hair strands in a predetermineddirection, which is maintained when the hair dries. However, the samedisadvantage described in respect to the other methods is also inherentin this method. The use of a stream of hot air causes the hair strandsto assume positions other than their natural tendencies. Thus, after afew days the hair loses its curl.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an important object of thepresent invention to provide a styling apparatus which is capable ofstyling hair in accordance with its natural growth pattern.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hairstyling apparatuswhich is so constructed as to enable a hair stylist to move it simplyand easily a great many times during the hair-styling procedure, so asto dry only selected limited areas of the hair.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a hair-styling lampwhich is easily movable into a variety of orientations and positions andalso is adjustable to control the quantity of heat emitted by the lamp.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method for stylinghair which follows the natural growth pattern of the hair.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method for stylinghair wherein the hair assumes a natural appearance.

A still further object is to provide a method for styling hair, whereinthe resulting set is long-lasting.

Further objects and features of the invention pertain to the particulararrangement of the elements of the hair-styling apparatus and the methodfor using the same, whereby the above outlined and additional objectsand operating features thereof are attained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention, both as to organizationand method of operation, together with further objects and advantagesthereof, will best be understood by reference to the followingspecification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a hair-styling apparatus incorporating therein thefeatures of the present invention, a head being shown in phantom toillustrate the manner in which the hair-styling apparatus is utilized;

FIG. 2 is a view in horizontal cross section taken along the lines of2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the lamp-headportion of the hair-styling apparatus; and

FIG. 4 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of the lamp head and themanner in which it is connected to the arm assembly forming part of thehair-styling apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The hair-styling apparatus 10comprises a base 20,

the base including an attachment flange 21 and a plate-like member 22jutting out from the attachment flange 21. Disposed at the end of theplate-like member 22 remote from the attachment flange 21 is a bearing23, the bearing 23 having a journal bore 24 extending therethrough. Thebase 20 is secured to the wall 11 by means of a pair of bolts or thelike (FIG. 2) passing through the attachment flange 21 as shown. Thebase 20 is so oriented that the pivot axis extending longitudinallythrough the bore 24 is disposed vertically when in use.

The hair-styling apparatus 10 further comprises an equipoised armassembly 25 which is of a generally standard construction, and includesa first parallelogram linkage formed by an arm 31 and a pair oflaterally spaced-apart arms 32 and 32a disposed parallel to each otherand parallel to the arm 31. A pivot member 33 is provided and ispivotally connected to corresponding ends of the arms 31, 32 and 32a asshown. Finally, a pair of springs 34 (only one is shown) is attached tothe pivot member 33 and respectively to the arms 32 and 32a. The armassembly 25 further includes a second parallelogram linkage including apair of parallelly-disposed arms 41 and 42 pivotally connected atcorresponding ends thereof to a second pivot member 43. The oppositeends of the arms 41 and42 are pivotally connected to a third pivotmember 34, and a spring 45 is connected between the second pivot member43 and the arm 42. The arms 31, 32, and 32a are also pivotally connectedto the second pivot member 43, which pivot member serves pivotally tointerconnect the two parallelogram linkages 30 and 40 in end-to-endrelationship. Disposed at one end of the arm assembly 25, that is, onthe first pivot member 33 is a pin 35 which defines a journal and isdisposed in the journal bore 24 on the base 20 to enable the armassembly 25 to swivel horizontally.

The hair-styling apparatus 10 further comprises a lamp-supportingassembly disposed on the other end of the arm assembly 25, that is, onthe third pivot member 44, the assembly 50 including a suitably-bentclip 51 pivotally connected to the pivot member 44 by means of a bolt52. There is provided a shaft 53 having a neck 54 of reduced diameterwhich passes through an aperture formed in the clip 51 as shown.Provided on the outer end of the shaft 53 is a stud 55. Thus, the clip51 and the shaft 53 are rotatable along a circular path, the center ofwhich is the bolt 52. The shaft 53 is rotatable about its longitudinalaxis in the aperture in the clip 51. I

The hair-styling apparatus further comprises a lamp head 60, which lamphead 60 includes a bracket 61 having an opening which receives the stud55 on the lamp-supporting assembly 50 and is secured in place by meansof a nut 62. A handle 63 is mounted on the bracket 61, for use inmanipulating the lamp head 60. The lamp head 60 includes a shade 64having therein a socket 65 and a bulb 66 screwed into the socket. Ascreen 67 snap-fits on the mouth of the shade 64 and protects thesubject if the bulb 66 breaks, yet has a minimum effect on the heat andlight from the bulb 66.

Finally, the hair-styling apparatus 10 includes a current-control device70 which has an input conductor 71, an output conductor 72 and arotatable knob or pointer 73. The conductor 71 is attached at its outerend to the usual plug which can be inserted into a standard source ofpower such as the 120 volt, 60-cycle power available from a wall outlet.The conductor 72 is connected at its remote end to the lamp head 60, asis shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, which conductor 72 is electrically connectedto the socket 65. The current-control device 70 in the embodiment shownis a rheostat having an armature or movable arm which is mechanicallyconnected to the pointer 73. By rotating the pointer 73, the power tothe bulb 66 may be controlled, thereby to adjust the heat and lightemitted therefrom.

Considering now the manner in which the hair-styling apparatus 10 isused, the subjects hair is first thoroughly washed and cleansed. Thehair is then partially dried by use of a towel, for example. The subjectis then seated in front of the wall 11 and beneath the lamp head 60. Amirror (not shown) may be mounted on the wall 11 in front of thesubjects head to enable him to watch as the styling process proceeds.The hair stylist adjusts the hair-styling apparatus 10 by grasping thehandle 63 to: swivel the arm assembly 25 horizontally; and/or pivot thearm linkages 30 and 40 to raise and lower the lamp head 60 bysubstantial amounts; and/or raise and lower the lamp head 60 by smalleramounts by pivoting it about the bolt 52; and/or rotating the lamp head60 about the shaft 53. Because of the infinite number and combinationsof movements of the apparatus 10, the hair stylist can place the lamphead 60 at any desired distance and orientation with respect to the hair13 of the subjects head 12. Moreover,the movements are easily andrapidly effected, the importance of which will be appreciated in view ofthe many times the lamp head 60 must be moved during a hair-stylingprocedure. Also, the apparatus 10 is so constructed as to remain in theselected position.

After the hair stylist directs the lamp 60 at the desired limited areaof the hair 13, the stylist watches to determine the direction andpattern that the hair tends to assume while it is drying. He cuts andstyles the hair in the limited area in accordance with the naturalgrowth tendency. After that area is completed, the stylist moves thelamp head 60 by grasping the handle 63 to change the position thereof,to be aimed at another limited area of the hair, and selects theappropriate distance of the lamp from the hair. Again, the stylistwatches the hair in that limited area as it dries, and cuts and combsthe hair in accordance with its natural growth pattern. The stylistmoves the lamp head 60 successively to limited areas of the hair fordrying it. The hair is cut and combed in each limited area in accordancewith its natural growth pattern, while the hair in that area is beingheated with the radiant heat from the bulb 66.

The distance of the lamp head 60 from the hair is determined by thepeculiar characteristics of the subjects hair, the density of the hairin various regions on the head, position of the hair stylist, etc. Thus,if a given quantity of heat is required, for drying a specific limitedarea of the hair, the lamp head 60 is so positioned as not to interferewith the stylists movements. The intensity of the heat can be adjustedby turning the pointer 73 on the current-control device 70.

In one form of the invention, the bulb 66 was a quartz bromine type,capable of dissipating 650 watts, the radiant heat developed being 3,400Kelvin, made by the Harwood Mfg. Co. of Chicago, lllinois, Model XL.

The hair style resulting from the above-described method will be bothattractive and long-lasting. It is long-lasting because it has been cutand combed in accordance with its natural growth pattern. If the hair iswashed and towel-dried after being so styled, the hair will regain theappearance it had when it was cut and combed. The hair-styling apparatusused to effect this novel method is simple to operate and may be movedeasily and yet remain at any selected position to enable the stylist toperform quickly.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it is understood thatmodifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover all suchmodifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for styling hair, comprising a base for mounting on awall and including bearing means having a journal bore defined by apivot axis that extends vertically in use, an equipoised arm assemblyincluding first and second parallelogram linkages and means pivotallyinterconnecting said linkages in endto-end relationship, a journal onsaid arm assembly at one end thereof and disposed in said journal boreto enable said arm assembly to swivel horizontally in use,lamp-supporting means on said arm assembly at the other end thereof andpivotal along a circular path and rotatable in a plane orthogonalto saidpath and about a central axis, a lamp head on said lamp-supporting meansand including a shade and a socket therein, a high intensity bulb insaid socket and having a quartz bromine filament which is capable ofemitting at least 300 watts, an elongated handle on said lamp head andarranged perpendicular to said central axis and protruding outwardly andto the side of said lamp head, said handle being adapted for use inorienting said lamp head in a desired position by selectively swivelingsaid bulb in a limited beam to enable drying of a limiting arm assemblyabout said pivot axis and adjusting the area of the subjects hair whilecutting and styling the configuration of said linkages and pivoting androtating same, a screen on said shade for covering said opening saidlamp supporting means, whereby an operator ma to confine the bulb shouldit break, and current control rasp said ha dl t i nt id l h d i any 5means for coupling a power source to said light bulb selectedorientation in respect to the hair of a subject, and including Variablemeans for adjusting the Power id Shade having an opening through whichheat and delivered to said bulb so as to adjust the heat generated lightfrom said bulb is emitted, said opening being therebylimited in size toconfine the heat and light from said 10

1. An apparatus for styling hair, comprising a base for mounting on awall and including bearing means having a journal bore defined by apivot axis that extends vertically in use, an equipoised arm assemblyincluding first and second parallelogram linkages and means pivotallyinterconnecting said linkages in end-to-end relationship, a journal onsaid arm assembly at one end thereof and disposed in said journal boreto enable said arm assembly to swivel horizontally in use,lamp-supporting means on said arm assembly at the other end thereof andpivotal along a circular path and rotatable in a plane orthogonal tosaid path and about a central axis, a lamp head on said lamp-supportingmeans and including a shade and a socket therein, a high intensity bulbin said socket and having a quartz bromine filament which is capable ofemitting at least 300 watts, an elongated handle on said lamp head andarranged perpendicular to said central axis and protruding outwardly andto the side of said lamp head, said handle being adapted for use inorienting said lamp head in a desired position by selectively swivelingsaid arm assembly about said pivot axis and adjusting the configurationof said linkages and pivoting and rotating said lamp supporting means,whereby an operator may grasp said handle to orient said lamp head inany selected orientation in respect to the hair of a subject, said shadehaving an opening through which heat and light from said bulb isemitted, said opening being limited in size to confine the heat andlight from said bulb in a limited beam to enable drying of a limitingarea of the subject''s hair while cutting and styling the same, a screenon said shade for covering said opening to confine the bulb should itbreak, and current control means for coupling a power source to saidlight bulb and including variable means for adjusting the powerdelivered to said bulb so as to adjust the heat generated thereby.